ME-702-C Power Plant Engineering - Dec 2025 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aWhat do you mean by energy sources? Write about primary and secondary energy sources and their inter convertibility?
   How to answer

   • Define energy sources
   • Define primary energy sources with examples
   • Define secondary energy sources with examples
   • Explain interconvertibility with examples
2. 7 Marks
   bWith the help of a suitable sketch explain the working of MHD converter. What factors do limit its commercial uses?
   How to answer

   • Schematic of MHD converter with magnet, electrodes, plasma flow
   • Principle of Faraday electromagnetic induction in conducting plasma
   • Working steps: ionization, expansion, power extraction
   • Limiting factors: materials, conductivity, efficiency, cost
3. 7 Marks
   aCompare solar energy an wind energy for Indian conditions. State the advantages of solar energy and the limitations of both systems?
   How to answer

   • Compare availability, intensity and distribution in India
   • State advantages of solar energy
   • Limitations of solar system
   • Limitations of wind system
4. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the elements of coal handling system in a thermal power plant? Explain with the help of a neat sketch?
   How to answer

   • List elements: wagon tippler, crusher, conveyors, storage, feeders
   • Neat layout sketch of coal handling from receipt to bunker
   • Function of each element
   • Flow path explanation
5. 7 Marks
   aHow "reheating" improves the thermal efficiency of a simple open cycle gas turbine plant? Explain.
   How to answer

   • Open cycle gas turbine layout and T-s diagram
   • Concept of reheating between turbine stages
   • Effect on work output and thermal efficiency
   • Limitations and conditions for improvement
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain with the help of a neat sketch Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) system. State the advantages of FBC system?
   How to answer

   • Neat sketch of FBC bed, air distributor, fuel feed
   • Principle of fluidization and combustion
   • Working and temperature control
   • Advantages: low emissions, fuel flexibility, efficiency
7. 7 Marks
   aWhat are the functions of moderators used in nuclear reactors? Name the various moderates with their specific characteristics?
   How to answer

   • Function of moderator: slowing fast neutrons
   • Requirements of good moderator
   • Names: water, heavy water, graphite, beryllium
   • Specific characteristics of each
8. 7 Marks
   bWith a neat sketch explain the working of pressurized heavy water reactor?
   How to answer

   • Neat sketch of PHWR pressure vessel, coolant circuits
   • Use of pressurized heavy water as coolant and moderator
   • Working cycle and power generation
   • Safety and efficiency features
9. 7 Marks
   aDescribe an advanced gas cooled nuclear reactor. Discuss the nuclear fission phenomenon in this context?
   How to answer

   • Construction of advanced gas cooled reactor
   • Coolant, moderator and fuel details
   • Nuclear fission chain reaction phenomenon
   • Features and advantages
10. 7 Marks
    bName the various hydraulic turbines with their specific characteristics. What factors are taken into account while selecting a particular turbine for a hydel power plant?
    How to answer

    • Types: Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, Propeller
    • Specific characteristics: head, discharge, speed
    • Selection factors: head, load, efficiency, cavitation
    • Suitability for hydel plant
11. 7 Marks
    aDiscuss the parameters on which the selection of site for a hydraulic power plant depends?
    How to answer

    • Water availability, head and storage
    • Geology, topography and accessibility
    • Load centre distance and cost
    • Environmental and social factors
12. 7 Marks
    bCompare Micro and Pico hydro machines.
    How to answer

    • Capacity range of micro vs pico hydro
    • Head, flow and application differences
    • Cost, construction and components
    • Tabular comparison
13. 7 Marks
    aDefine the following terms related to power plant economics.

    1. (i))Maximum demand
    2. (ii))Load Factor
    3. (iii))Diversity Factor
    4. (iv))Plant Factor
    How to answer

    • Define maximum demand with formula
    • Define load factor with formula
    • Define diversity factor with formula
    • Define plant factor with formula
14. 7 Marks
    bA Power station is to supply for regions of load whose peak loads are $10\ \text{MW}$, $5\ \text{MW}$, $8\ \text{MW}$ and $7\ \text{MW}$. The diversity factor of the load at the station is $1.5$ and the average annual loads factor is $0.6$. Calculate in MW:

    1. (i))Maximum demand on the station in MW.
    2. (ii))Annual energy supplied from the station in GWh.
    How to answer

    • Given peak loads and diversity and load factors
    • Formula: Max demand = sum peaks / diversity factor
    • Formula: Annual energy = max demand x load factor x 8760
    • Compute values in MW and GWh
15. 14 Marks
    Write a short notes on any two of the following.

    1. (a))Diversity factor and load factor
    2. (b))Fuel cells
    3. (c))Over feed and underfeed principle of firing of coal
    4. (d))Spill ways
    How to answer

    • Select any two topics
    • Give definition/principle with diagram where needed
    • Explain working and applications
    • Mention advantages/limitations